Education Committee - 15/03/2004

At a MEETING of the EDUCATION COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 15th March 2004.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Councillor MACPHERSON, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th February 2004 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

Prior to the commencement of business a minute's silence was held in memory of those who lost their lives in the bombing in Spain on 11th March 2004.

I MINUTE OF MEETING OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE SUB-COMMITTEE OF 24TH FEBRUARY 2004

The minute of the above meeting (Appendix I) was submitted for information.

II ACTIVE SCHOOLS PROGRAMME

There was submitted Report No 161-2004 by the Director of Education and the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) asking the Committee to note the continuation and extension of funding for the Active Schools Programme.

The Committee:-

(i) approved the continuing secondment of eleven Secondary Sports Co-Ordinator posts (0.1 FTE) until March 2007;

(ii) approved the continuing secondment of two Secondary Sports Co-Ordinator posts (0.1 FTE) until March 2007;

(iii) approved the extension of the Active Primary School Programme to all Dundee Primary Schools until March 2007; and

(iv) instructed the Director of Education to report progress of the programme at an appropriate date.

III DUNDEE SCHOOLS PPP PROJECT - PROCUREMENT PROCESS

There was submitted Report No 221-2004 by the Chief Executive and the Director of Education relative to the above.

The Committee agreed to:

(i) approve the content of the report;

(ii) note that the project had moved to the OJEU stage (publication of Contract Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union); and

(iii) delegate the responsibility for progressing the project to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Project Board.

IV VARIOUS SECONDARY SCHOOLS (PARTNERING) TOILET IMPROVEMENTS - EXTENSION TO CONTRACT

There was submitted Report No 231-2004 by the Director of Education and the City Architectural Services Officer seeking approval to extend the existing contract for toilet improvements to include similar works at St Clements Primary School.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) toilet improvements at St Clements Primary School at an estimated total cost of 25,000. inclusive of professional fees; and

(ii) authorise the City Architectural Services Officer to negotiate an extension to the existing contract under the present partnering arrangement with Torith Limited, Dundee by the addition of works to St Clements Primary School within the allowance of 25,000.

V TENDERS RECEIVED

There was submitted Report No 232-2004 by the City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received and requesting a decision thereon:-

(i) ST FERGUS PRIMARY SCHOOL - RENEWAL OF ROOF COVERING

The Committee agreed to accept the negotiated offer from Dundee Contract Services for the renewal of roof covering at St Fergus Primary School for 45,209.23, together with allowances of 7,307.00, giving a total of 52,516.23.

The Committee noted that Dundee Contract Services had listed the undernoted sub-contractors:-

VI SUPPORTING PUPILS WITH SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES

There was submitted Report No 239-2004 by the Director of Education informing the Committee of the evaluation of the policy document "Supporting Pupils with Social, Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties".

The Committee noted the interim report and the way which the Education Department would progress the matter.

VII SUPPLY OF SPECIALIST MINIBUS FOR KINGSPARK SCHOOL

There was submitted Report No 240-2004 by the Director of Education seeking approval to accept an offer for the supply of a specialised minibus for Kingspark School.

The Committee agreed to accept the lowest tender received from A M Philip Limited, Forfar at an estimated total amount of 24,490.

VIII DEVOLVED SCHOOL MANAGEMENT (DSM) SCHEME REVIEW

There was submitted Report No 249-2004 by the Director of Education advising the Committee on the review of the Council's DSM Scheme and seeking approval to implement and evaluate certain extensions to the Scheme in financial year 2004/2005.

The Committee agreed to:-

(i) note the outcome of the DSM Scheme review and consultation;

(ii) approve specific extensions to the Scheme for implementation and evaluation during financial year 2004/2005;

(iii) instruct the Director of Education to report back on the evaluation of the specific extensions to the Scheme in March 2005 with a recommendation on their future position; and

(iv) instruct the Director of Education to arrange appropriate training for school staff on the implementation of the extension to the scheme.

IX CHILDCARE STRATEGY FUNDING SUPPORT TO PLAYGROUPS, PARENT AND TODDLER GROUPS AND OUT OF SCHOOL CARE CLUBS

Bailie Farquhar declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being Convener of Leisure and Arts Services who run playgroups in Lochee Park Pavilion.

Councillor Grant declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being an ex officio member of the Grey Lodge Executive.

Councillor Morrow declared a non-financial interest by virtue of being Chair of the Boomerang Project.

Councillor Don declared a non-financial interest in respect of Toddlers and Co at Logie and St John's Church by virtue of being an Elder of that Church.

Councillor Webster declared a non-financial interest in respect of St James' Parent and Toddler Group by virtue of being Session Clerk at St James Church.

Councillor Wallace declared a non-financial interest in respect of Forthill Primary Out of School Care Club by virtue of having two grandchildren who attend.

There was submitted Report No 247-2004 by the Director of Education seeking approval to provide funding to local Playgroups, Out of School Care Clubs and Parent and Toddler Groups.

The Committee agreed to approve funding to:-

(i) Parent and Toddler Groups and Playgroups as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report;

(ii) Out of School Care Clubs as outlined in Appendix 2 of the report; and

(iii) the Dundee Out of School Care Network as outlined in Appendix 3 of the report.

FRASER MACPHERSON, Convener.

APPENDIX I